NHL 2015 Boxing Day Prediction Montreal vs Washington
Capitals continue as the hottest team in hockey
Aiming for their first seven-game winning streak, since an 8-0 run back in April 2013, the Capitals return from the Christmas break as the hottest team in the NHL. Washington won five in a row back in October, they won six straight in November, and they outscored their opponents by a 22-10 margin as they entered the holiday break with another six pack of wins. As we have discussed previously, Washington is the most complete team in the NHL as their 105 goals scored is the second only to the 124 Dallas has potted while their 71 goals allowed is the lowest total in the league. Add in the second best power play (25.7%) that’s complimented by the fifth best penalty killing crew (84.4%) and it’s not difficult to understand how Washington has achieved their sparkling 25-6-2 overall record.
Canadiens have crashed with their injured All-Stars on the shelf
After storming out of the NHL starting gate, posting a league best 18-4-3 record through the first two months of the season, Montreal has fallen on hard times recently. Injuries to two of their top players, G Carey Price and RW Brendan Gallagher, has sent the Canadiens crashing back to earth as they have posted a 2-9-0 record in December and they are riding a season high five game losing streak. Struggling at both ends of the rink, Montreal has been outscored by a 19-5 margin during their current skid and they haven’t won since they recorded a 3-1 home victory over the Ottawa Senators back on December 12. Playing the fourth of a monster eight-game road trip, Montreal was whacked 6-2 by Dallas and 5-1 by Nashville, prior to heading into the break with a 2-1 loss in Minnesota.
Capitals vs Canadiens NHL Call: Washington’s stud puck stopper Braden Holtby (21-4-1 GAA 1.96) faces Montreal’s top backup Mike Condon (9-8-3 GAA 2.43) in the netminding matchup tonight. Holtby continues to lead the NHL in wins, goals against average and his .931 save percentage is the tops amongst goalies with at least 17 starts. Condon was a feel-good story earlier this season as the rookie earned at least a tie (6-0-2) during his first eight starts. However, like his teammates around him, Condon has struggled as Montreal is 0-8-0 during his last eight appearances. Despite getting outshot, by a wide 35-19 margin, the Caps never trailed while posting a 3-2 win over the Habs at the Bell Centre on December 3. That was the first of three meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals this season. Aiming for additional Capital gains, give us Washington with a 1000 wager on the money line odds posted on the Bovada NHL betting board. Happy Festivus Everyone!
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens – Bovada Sportsbook NHL Wagering Lines
Category : Betting Picks
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